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Sunday, June 17, 2007

The first phase of my model railroad project is complete. I built two tables yesterday that will form the benchwork for the railroad. I needed a way to get multiple use out of the table. It is locaed in the garage so I also need something that is strong. I decided to use the same system I used for my game table\workbench. This is 2x4 construction with metal brackets at the joints. This system is easy and quick. Te hardware is from Simpson and they have tons of different brackets for almost any application.

The dimentions are 14 feet long by 22 inches wide. The table height is about 45 inches. Each table has adjustable feet made from 3/8" carriage bolts threaded into T-nuts. This allows me to level the entire layout. I have some rubber feet to put on the carriage bolts to keep the layout from moving around.

The bench is actually made of two 7 foot long benches. This was done to make it easier to move if needed. In order to keep the two benches allied I bolted the end pieces together with a 5/16" bolt. One day I might have a permenemt layout so I did not attach the tops from the top...if you know what I mean. If I had drilled through the top and then done nu landscaping it would be ver tough to salvage. The answer is to attach the layout top with L brackets. This means that I can remove the layout from the bench very easily.

Now I need to get some paint on it quick. The heat in the garage, in Arizona, in June, can be intense. The lumber was pretty green and if I don't seal it soon it will begin to warp. I don't care about the color so I will just use some left-over paint for this. Total bill for this phase was $175, not bad!

Friday, June 15, 2007

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

I have finally finished (mostly) my Lord of the Rings Orcs. Since these are the back-bone of the evil forces you must have a bunch of these guys.

Right now, I am using these to augment my Isengard forces for our campaign. These are a good choice for Isengard because they are cheep. Now I just need to paint up a few Orc trackers, some MoranonOrcs, a Bolt thrower and I will be done...for a while.

Monday, June 11, 2007

This is the latest completed project. I painted this up for my local game group's LOTR campaign. I am playing Isengard and needed some punch.

Some people complain that there is no precedent for a Troll in an Isengard army, not from the books or the movie. I agree that it is a little dubious but the Isengard army needs some help and this guy fits the bill.

I tried to paint him a different color than the Cave Troll. I wanted to make it clear that this is not just a Cave Troll in armor. The redish skin tones tie him in with the Urak Hai very well.

All in all this is a very cool model. I was not a big fan when it first came out but I now really like it.

Then there are the games that have been retired. Not all of these are bad. In fact some are really great. The reasons for retirement are varied.

Wings of Glory

Kings of War

The Great WarEmpire of the DeadClash of EmpiresLord of the Rings:SBGWarhammer Ancient BattlesBattleground World War 2Arc of FireJohnny Reb IIICrossfireRules of EngagementRate of FireLegends of the High SeasNecromundaWaterlooLegends of the Old West